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Halbert funds film, hopes to put African team in Tour de France

Jon
Halbert was really getting used to a life of golf and sailing and Dallas
philanthropy when a group making a film about a cycling team from Rwanda, of all
places, approached him about financing the project in 2010.

All Halbert knew about Rwanda was that it had been the site of one of the
world’s most horrific genocides in 1994. At least a half-million died in the
100-day slaughter. The health care business had made Halbert a rich man. He
liked giving back, as his upbringing and faith demanded. But he figured this was
a league for Warren Buffett or Bill Gates.

“I thought Africa,” he said, “was too big for me.”

Long intrigued by filmmaking, Halbert agreed to finance a trip to Rwanda to
see for himself, just the same.

Next thing he knew, he and his wife, Linda, were in for seven figures. Rising from
Ashes, an award-winning 2012 documentary, is the result.

“Best million dollars I’ve ever spent,” he said.

The project actually started in 2005 with the collaboration of a couple of
American cycling legends; two men who would become founders of the Rising from
Ashes Foundation; and Team Rwanda, a half-dozen locals with the outrageous idea
of changing their lives as well as the perception of their country on the backs
of bikes.

The film covers seven years in the evolution of the riders. Most had never
even ridden a bike with brakes, much less gears. Yet the story fades to black in
an Olympic dream.

Among the unlikely heroes are Adrien Niyonshuti, who lost more than 60
members of his extended family in the genocide 20 years ago, and Team Rwanda’s
haunted coach, Jonathan “Jock” Boyer.

Once famous as the first American to compete in the Tour de France, Boyer,
now 58, is more than a decade into recovering his reputation and soul after a
conviction and jail time for “lewd and lascivious acts” with a minor.

Redemption is a theme throughout the brave film, which has been screened at
more than a dozen festivals nationwide. The Halberts follow wherever it
goes.

And now it has led them to this: A project not only to sustain the Rwandan
effort, but a mission of funding Team Africa, with a goal that one day the
continent will compete in the Tour de France.

It’s an ambitious, magnificent vision. Halbert considers it 20 times bigger
than the one proposed to him four years ago, and worth every penny.

Turns out that what they started in Africa — a place he thought too big for
him — was simply the beginning. Hardly your average retirement strategy.

“And I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

Follow Kevin Sherrington on Twitter @KSherringtonDMN.

A LA CARTE

Athletes always say they’re retiring to spend more time with their families, which usually translates to mean “until I find something better to do.” You can believe Michael Young when he says so. My all-time favorite Ranger retires as such to his lovely wife, Cristina, and three boys. They’ll enjoy having him around. Should the Rangers ever extend an offer as goodwill ambassador, though, here’s hoping the kids cut him some slack. … If you think there’s too many cooks in the Cowboys’ kitchen with Scott Linehan added as play-caller, relax. Bill Callahan keeps the title of offensive coordinator, but it’s about as viable as Monte Kiffin’s crown of “assistant head coach.” With NFL teams, there’s no such thing as a line of succession. … Prediction: The longer he goes without another offer, the more likely Nellie Cruz returns on a one-year deal. Adrian Beltre, slated for a lightly-protected cleanup spot, should hope so. … Here’s a category the Mavs lead: heartbreaking, stupefying losses. … Glad Jaromir Jagr clarified his early prediction that the Stars’ Valeri Nichushkin will be the NHL’s best player. He’s got all the tools, Jagr said. The teenager just has to work at it. One more thing: What say we let him grow up? … Here’s to David Stern and his 30 mostly glorious years as NBA commissioner. He remained in power far longer than any of his predecessors, and none of them had to deal with Mark Cuban. … Dirk Nowitzki, an All-Star a dozen times now, continues to defy expectations at 35. But is he still good enough to attract a free agent this summer? … Rams owner Stan Kroenke stirred nostalgia when he bought 60 acres in Inglewood, Calif., which might make for a nice stadium. Roger Goodell says he’s heard no buzz about the Rams moving back to their roots. Might just be leverage for stadium improvements in St. Louis, at that. LA has long proved it’s not an NFL town. Then again, St. Louis is a baseball town, right, Josh? … Kevin Durant or LeBron James? LeBron is better all-around, but Durant, an offensive freak, has no peer as the NBA’s most driven player. … On signing day Wednesday, I’ll promise not to hand out any grades if you don’t.